Slovenian Ana Roš declared world's best female chef

Ljubljana, 24 January - Chef Ana Roš of the Hiša Franko restaurant in the western town of Kobarid has put Slovenian cuisine on the map by becoming the World's Best Female Chef. The World's 50 Best Restaurants culinary portal picked her for the prestigious title due to her precision, affection to details and her imagination.

LjubljanaA culinary festival.Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

LjubljanaChef Ana RošPhoto: Daniel Novakovič/STA

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Although cooking had never been the intended path for Roš, the daughter of a doctor and a journalist, her plans changed as she decided to take over the restaurant of her husband's parents in the Soča Valley.

"She took on the kitchen at Hiša Franko with no culinary training, no experience in running a restaurant and no real desire to give up her ambitious career plans.

"Almost 20 years later, she has put her country on the gastronomic map, starred in her own episode of Netflix's hit series Chef's Table, and been voted by her peers as The World's Best Female Chef," the portal says in presenting Roš.

"Although there are no Michelin stars in Slovenia and the country is somewhat overshadowed by the culinary successes of its neighbours - Italy and Austria, in particular - Roš has propelled Hiša Franko onto the global gastronomic stage and earned her place among the world's top cooks."

Hiša Franko is described as a "cosy family restaurant, located in an idyllic rural setting overlooking the lush Soča Valley", which "attracts customers from across the globe to sample Roš's unique five- and nine-course tasting menus".

Public broadcaster RTV Slovenija said the portal, which makes its rankings based on a poll by British magazine Restaurant of international chefs, restaurateurs, gourmands and restaurant critics, was likely to list Hiša Franko among this year's top 100 restaurants in the world.

The only other Slovenian restaurant to ever make it on the list was the prestigious Ljubljana-based JB, which ranked 89th in 2010. This year's top restaurants will be presented in April.

Roš will receive her World's Best Female Chef Award at a ceremony in Melbourne, Australia, on 5 April. Last year the award was conferred on chef Dominique Crenn of the Ateliera Crenn restaurant in San Francisco.